Dame Maggie Smith has reportedly signed on to take part in the heavily rumoured ‘Downton Abbey’ film. While a movie version of the series has not yet been confirmed, Smith’s fellow cast member Michael Fox has said that the veteran actress will be taking part in a big screen adaptation.

Downton AbbeyIs ‘Downton Abbey’ the movie, really happening?

Speaking to MailOnline Fox, who played Andy Parker, said that Smith’s involvement was crucial to the film. “She elevates it to something else, because she is such a legend and a national treasure,” he said.

More: Jimmy Kimmel Takes The Emmy For "Lame" Maggie Smith After She Fails To Appear For The Ninth Time

“It becomes a different show and she puts a stamp on it of quality. She is one of those actors you look at, and say, ‘How on earth does do they do it?,’” he continued. “Everyone says Maggie gets the best lines - they are funny on the page, but she makes them exceptional - she is really special.

“The film without her would still be good with all the other actors,” he added. “But it puts a stamp of quality with her in it.” Last year, while appearing on the ‘Graham Norton Show’, Smith said that her character Violet Crawley would just be too old to take part in a film version.

“By the time we finished, she must have been about 110. It couldn’t go on and on, it just didn’t make sense,” she told Norton. When asked if she would appear in a film version Smith said, “I can’t - what age would she be?”

More: Leonardo Dicaprio Is Maggie Smith's Bafta Valentine

The show’s creator Julian Fellowes also recently spoke about the prospect of a film, telling ‘Good Morning Britain’: “As far as I am concerned, I am completely up for it. And I think most of the cast are up for it, if not all of them.”